Room2Smile Fall Classic To Showcase RIT, Le Moyne, OCC

Syracuse, N.Y. – The Inaugural Room2Smile Fall Classic will be held on Sunday, October 20 at Le Moyne College and features three elite men’s lacrosse programs from the Upstate New York area. Serving as the host, Le Moyne will welcome RIT and Onondaga Community College to campus for a three-way scrimmage beginning at 10 a.m.

The three games will serve to promote and generate awareness of Room2Smile, a charitable organization started by former Le Moyne Dolphin men’s lacrosse student-athlete Brandon Spillett ’05. The organization’s mission is to help families who have received a cancer diagnosis with emotional support services. During the game, literature and representatives from Room2Smile will be available to educate fans on the organization’s mission and ways they can provide support.

“When Dan and I started talking about holding an event like this, where it was going to be held was a huge question,” said Spillett. “Le Moyne College provided me with so much support and good memories over the years, to have the opportunity to combine Room2Smile with elite lacrosse programs at Le Moyne is very exciting. The mission of Room2Smile, like Le Moyne College, is about serving others and we are excited to raise awareness through the great game of lacrosse.”

“The game of lacrosse and my family have given me more than I could ever repay,” said Dan Holdridge ’05, Northeast Marketing Manager for Brine & Warrior Lacrosse. “When Brandon and I started this project, I looked at this as helping a friend, teammate and more importantly a brother. I do not see a more fit way that I can give back to the community and to the sport that has provided me so many great opportunities in life”

Admission and parking is free for the event. For directions to Le Moyne College and information on parking, log on to www.LeMoyneDolphins.com/fans.

About Room2Smile:
Room2Smile provides emotional support and other services to children and adults in the Central New York region who have been diagnosed with cancer. The organization offers companionship to these individuals and their families through in-home or in-hospital visits, recreation activities, and other services with a goal of improving the quality of life for individuals and families of those facing a cancer diagnosis.

Room2Smile's Mission:Room2Smile will provide emotional and other support services to children and adults in the Central New York region who have been diagnosed with cancer. The organization will offer companionship to these individuals and their families through in-home or in-hospital visits, recreational activities, and other services with a goal of improving the quality of life for individuals and families of those who are facing a cancer diagnosis.

Although it does say Central New York Region, we have been able to reach individuals that are many states away, we are trying to focus on surrounding the area while we grow, but by no means are limited to it.

Where does the name Room2Smile come from?My father, Daniel Spillett, was diagnosed with a brain tumor in 1993 when my sister and I were only 10 & 8. Through his strength, support system, and a positive attitude he was able to fight this “terminal illness” for many years and live a “normal life." In reality his life was far from “normal”. He fought everyday for the next twelve years not letting one second go by wasted, or missing out on an opportunity to smile and help others smile. During those years he spent his time with family, friends, children, doctors, coaching lacrosse players, and spending time with ex players. My father was always sharing his passion for life and smiling the entire time. There wasn’t a room that he walked into where he wasn’t excited to be, or where the others inside the room weren’t waiting, anticipating his infectious smile, humorous one liners, constructive criticism, or common encouragement. As I have grown and continued on with my life, I have often come across people who were in those rooms my father walked into. We have shared the passion of his life and the passion for life that he inscribed in all of us.

For a small portion of his life, my father was confined to a hospital bed and wasn’t able to walk into those rooms. Instead, people came out to walk into HIS room, because of the impact he had on their life. During the time he spent in the hospital, his room was never empty people were always stopping by. He shared many rooms with people who whose only visitors were by the hospital staff. Numerous times I would walk into my father’s room and even when he was confined to his own hospital bed fighting this terminal illness, he was entertaining his roommates and bringing them smiles! He would tell me late at night when all the others had come and gone, that it was his relationships with his family, friends, teammates, players, and the unplanned daily human interactions he loved so much. This is where the name Room2Smile comes from.

Everyone has and deserves more Room2Smile! The logo represents all those rooms my father walked into and all the rooms we can walk into and be there for someone else! My vision for Room2Smile may not be able to touch as many lives as my father did, but even bringing just a few more smiles into the days of those who need them would make both him and I very proud!! GottaBelieve DS.

How are we able to help others through the organization?
Currently we are volunteering at Upstate Hospital once a week helping out with a variety of different tasks. Once the NEW Regional Oncology Center opens in 2014 we plan on getting a larger group involved there. When my father’s cancer returned, my sophomore year at LeMoyne, he spent over a month at Upstate Hospital. It was overwhelming how many people reached out, sent thoughtful notes of encouragement, gifts ranging from envelopes of just cash (note with it to use for parking fees at hospital), gift cards, food, magazines, and his favorite snacks. These small gestures comforted, uplifted, and touched our family in many ways. One of the ways we are now reaching out is to send out gift packs to individuals and families that have recently been diagnosed with cancer or are facing another battle. Someone close to the individual will contact us, tell us what he/she really enjoys. Room2Smile donations fund unique and personalized gift packs. Below are two of packages we have sent out recently.

The first recipient loved to travel to Las Vegas (calendar and magnet) and the second is a huge Cleveland Indians fan, loves to cook (Dinosaur BBQ cookbook), and complete Sudoku. These are only a few examples. Room2Smile has also visited local hospitals to spend time with recently diagnosed cancer patients to talk, listen, play cards, or just to offer a friendly smile. It is incredible what a smile, friendly conversation, and positive attitude can do for someone who is facing such an uphill battle. Room2Smile believes that there is no request too small or too big because we have contacts and resources available ready to help.

What are we looking to achieve with the Room2Smile Fall Classic?
We originally wanted to hold this tournament last year but timing didn’t work out and we decided to wait one year. Looking back I’m glad that we did and am even more excited about the three teams that committed so far in advance and wanted to be a part of the 1st year. Lacrosse was such a huge part of my father’s life and my family. My favorite night of the week is box lacrosse at Jones Rd, my sister has built a great high school girls program in Southern California, and an annual award is given out at Lake Placid in my father’s name. It is still a huge part of our lives. It made perfect sense to combine what my father was so passionate about, lacrosse to spread the word. Through this fall ball event we look forward to telling people what Room2Smile is all about. We will have a tent and table with information as well as a large group of volunteers ready to answer questions. Both admission and parking will be free to all who attend. We also will have a video board that will be able to show logos of sponsors, program, and audio system with announcements.